In the time before the collapse, the Denis Sullivan was Wisconsin's Flagship. It is a huge wooden sailing vessel, based on the design of ships from when sail ruled the waves. It was a fun tourist attraction, and took school groups and families sailing on the Lakes, educating and amusing. As society began to fall apart, the crew realized they were safer on the water, with miles of empty space around them. They gathered supplies, friends, and family aboard, and went and sat out on the water, hoping the world would settle down and return to normal. When that didn't happen, they began to seek a way to live in the new, fallen world. The boat was a safe haven, and they did not want to abandon it. They began to sail in towards shore, sending scavenging parties to collect supplies and bring them back. As they met other groups of survivors, they began to either trade, or raid, for the things they needed as well. Smaller boats, the pleasure craft and other sailing vessels of the lake, were either found and repaired, or taken by force, so that now there is a small fleet out on the lake, ruled by the captain of the Sullivan. The fleet has a hidden base on land somewhere, no one is quite sure where, as they move about almost exclusively by water, sending people ashore where ever the water touches land. When they come to trade, they announce themselves with gifts and good cheer. When they come to raid, they appear suddenly out of the waves, and return just as quickly.
Region Found:
Other (Lake Michigan)
Leader(s) Name:
Commodore Hugh Skerritt
Religious:
No. Other than the ritual libation poured over the side before every voyage, paying the Old Man of the Sea for safe passage, religion is a personal thing in the fleet.
Group Size:
Small
Other Notes:
Organization:
Merchants: The cheerful, amiable face of the fleet. They frequently set up small fairs where they land on shore, and treat customers as guests, often giving gifts of good will to those looking to trade. The merchants of the fleet also serve as its diplomats. These people have made a lifestyle out of trading, however, and there are no sharper dealers around. Marines: When the fleet decides it is going to take what it wants rather than buy it, it sends its marines. Equally at home on sea or land, these are the fist of the fleet. They specialize in surprise and ambush, and will often retreat from a fair fight back to the water. Sailors: The majority of the people of the fleet are simple sailors. Regular people, living each on a boat or ship whose captain's word is law. These boats, particularly the smaller ones are often organized along family lines,
As society began to fall apart, the crew realized they were safer on the water, with miles of empty space around them. They gathered supplies, friends, and family aboard, and went and sat out on the water, hoping the world would settle down and return to normal. When that didn't happen, they began to seek a way to live in the new, fallen world. The boat was a safe haven, and they did not want to abandon it. They began to sail in towards shore, sending scavenging parties to collect supplies and bring them back. As they met other groups of survivors, they began to either trade, or raid, for the things they needed as well. Smaller boats, the pleasure craft and other sailing vessels of the lake, were either found and repaired, or taken by force, so that now there is a small fleet out on the lake, ruled by the captain of the Sullivan. The fleet has a hidden base on land somewhere, no one is quite sure where, as they move about almost exclusively by water, sending people ashore where ever the water touches land. When they come to trade, they announce themselves with gifts and good cheer. When they come to raid, they appear suddenly out of the waves, and return just as quickly.
Organization:
Merchants: The cheerful, amiable face of the fleet. They frequently set up small fairs where they land on shore, and treat customers as guests, often giving gifts of good will to those looking to trade. The merchants of the fleet also serve as its diplomats. These people have made a lifestyle out of trading, however, and there are no sharper dealers around.Marines: When the fleet decides it is going to take what it wants rather than buy it, it sends its marines. Equally at home on sea or land, these are the fist of the fleet. They specialize in surprise and ambush, and will often retreat from a fair fight back to the water.
Sailors: The majority of the people of the fleet are simple sailors. Regular people, living each on a boat or ship whose captain's word is law. These boats, particularly the smaller ones are often organized along family lines,